Ljubljana Festival on the Ljubljanica

Ancient legend tells how Jason, the hero of Greek mythology, confronted a dragon at the source of the river Ljubljanica and, after a fierce struggle, succeeded in defeating it. The mythical creature has adorned Ljubljana’s coat of arms ever since. With this cycle of musical events on the Ljubljanica, the river with seven names and an extraordinary archaeological and cultural heritage becomes, for the eleventh consecutive year, a magical concert stage. Events on the water have a long tradition in Ljubljana: the first recorded regatta took place in 1092, and there are also records of water tournaments held in 1210. For Ljubljana’s musical past, however, the year 1704 is particularly significant, since it was marked by a concert on the water announcing the founding of the Philharmonic Society. “With its specially chosen music”, wrote the society’s chronicler Friedrich Keesbacher, “this event attracted crowds and strengthened the idea of a musical voyage as a distinctive city event.” Building on this cultural legacy, the Ljubljana Festival on the Ljubljanica was created to bring classical music to the very heart of the capital. Join us on the banks of the Ljubljanica and experience an evening where legends merge with the city’s vibrant pulse and rich cultural heritage.